Saturday, January 30, 2010

Snow...

Well, as usual, the weathermen were wrong. The prediction of one to two inches of snow has turned into the reality of at least five, and it's still coming down. Nevertheless, it's been a nice sort of Norman Rockwell painting day - with a roaring fire going as we read and/or listen to Firesign Theatre albums on the stereo, and eating some of Linda's homemade turkey soup. I, (or at least my back), am not looking forward to tomorrow's shoveling. A nice day.

I can't get really bothered about this, given that we're probably less than a hundred years since NYC (probably) had chickens being grown in its environs. Some of you old-timers will remember that my own family had a pet chicken and a pet rooster (at seperate times). Each travelled with us cross country on our vacations, sitting calmly at my Mother's feet in the car. I've had home-gorwn eggs and been wakened by crowing from the basement.

At first I thought Deeds was offering up a chance for the rest of us to hunt infants. It didn't seem quite sporting to me, but what the hey, Bristol could use the extra protein source. Now, this does raise a few questions, what type of caliber weapon do you arm a two year old with? And their little hands may not be so steady, better to have full automatic or a heavyduty shotgun for spread. Decisions, decisions...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

white death from above

Well, the weathermen are predicting that we may or may not get precipitation in the next 1-3 days, and that this possible precipitation may be rain, or sleet, or snow. A prediction that could pretty much be made for any date between, say 11/1 and 3/21, during any given year. Thanks guys. I don't mind the fact that our meteorologists can't tell me whether or not I need an umbrella when I leave the house in the morning. I mind that they've spent billions of dollars on research and equipment so that they can't tell me. One might as well go out and molest wooly catepillars to determine what our forecast is going to be.But if it does snow, we're ready here at the Manor. Well, everything but my damn back, which is still aching from the last bout of snow shovelling...

It's like Star Wars - many years ago and far far away. Cocker's second album had just been released. I was in high school and it was, (I think), late Fall. I entered the classroom for my world geography class, and the teacher (a local legend named Ed Raskind) was playing it on a hi-fi he'd stolen from the audio/visual room, (it was the 60's, kids). I fell in love immediately, (with the album, NOT Ed...). I think we both agreed that Bathroom Window was the standout track amongst a host of strong contenders. He played it at least three times during that class period, (I know, I know, we should have been studying geography, but one has to prioritize). And that album is still one of my faves.

Banning D&D. Because it "promotes gang-related activity". Quiver....roll eyes...snort...can't-hold-back-any-longer - BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GANG ACTIVITY??!!?? From Dungeons & Dragons??!!?? Well yea, if you're a god-damned fuckin' elf, then sure, I guess it does promote it. It is amusing that this little bit of real-life fantasy was decided by a bunch of dudes who wear black evening dresses to go to work in, but hey, who am I to comment as I'm obviously neck-deep in some sort of gang activity. Yea, don't tell me about the Crips and the Bloods, my college days were spent in rumbles with the Chess Club. I've lived the life, man. It is doubly ironic that D&D was developed in Wisconsin, (Lake Geneva). Gary Gygax - Mr. Big. The Dr. Mabuse of the Underworld. Jesus H. Christ, when did this country become such pansies?!?

"When you're an Elf you're an Elf all the way; from your first +5 sword to your last dyin' day..."

If I remember correctly, there was also a radiation experiment in the early 50's (in West Virginia?) of researchers injecting children with various radioactive substances to see what would happen. And I've always believed there were some high-altitude expertiments in the late 40's in New Mexico involving human guinea pigs, (who weren't aware of or had given their consent), thus explaining the various shenanigans around the Roswell incident. And then there's that persistent rumor of the guys chained to a fence on the outskirts of one of our atomic bomb tests in the late 40's....

Most of the software development I've been involved with has been quite diverse and international. One expects the office to break into a few verses of the old coke song, "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing", etc. So it's amusing to thing about these software flaws and the incompetence that they display...

Very brave guys. The Americans had similiar teams in the Pacific Campaign, who were alos involved in underwater demolition blastings, to clear landing beaches just ahead of the main troops. One of the members was named De Earle Logsdon, a very old and dear friend of my family's.

Snow Missed Us?

Well, the sleet and snow mix some of our weathermen were predicting seems to have missed us; leaving a cold rainy drizzle. The Republic will survive. If tradition holds, we've got about another 7-8 weeks of Winter here at the Manor. I'm actually looking forward to a little gardening this year, planted patches of two different species of wolfesbane last Autumn, and I'm curious as to whether or not they'll take here. Got 'em from Alchemy Works. Would also like to put in some more ground cover and mulch. My hope is to attract more native toads, snakes and salamanders. Have spotted a few around here over the years, but not nearly enough. We'll see how it goes.

Another sign of wuss America and the retreat from humanity. Of course, what this really does is allow bars to cheat customers - who is to say if that was 1.5 or only 1.4 ounces of whiskey in your mixed drink? I am also amused at the statement that customers are intrigued by these devices, as if a soda fountain technology was some sort of meta-device of wonder. Doubtless, these shallow souls stand entranced at gas stations - staring reverentially at the pumps. I'm no longer a habitue of bars, so this really doesn't affect me, but it just seems so pathetic. I can't imagine going out with friends to ogle pumps cheating me out of my drink.

I think the real point is that to achieve a level of privacy that you had, say, pre-Internet, then you have to stay off of the Internet. The control of technology and the focus of it is based on various elites gaining information from and/or power over the users. My personal policy has always been to put no more on Facebook, or anyplace else, than I am willing to see and to defend if it were put up on a huge billboard on Route 1.Financial concerns are also important. But the fact of the matter is that even this data was widely available, even before the Internet. The number of people who (potentially) can get access to a check you wrote or a credit card slip at a box store is truly huge. You're only hope under such circumstances is to avoid those conveniences and return to cash and/or postal money orders.

My ideal would be a book and music store with free and abundant parking, wine bar, chiropractor, bourbon boutique, psychotronic film theatre and Pakistani eatery. With the exception of the bone cruncher, I've come close to this, I call it The Manor....

An interesting little historical tidbit. I'd be curious on how the missionaries' relationship with the government was handled. Christianity, even a perverted strain, would have been a direct challenge to the foundations of the Japanese government with whom the nazis were allied.

Given the number of social losers, nerds, Aspergers, and just plain unbearable people in the software biz, I expect they'll be devoting most of the industry's energies to "perfecting' this contraption. I predict fembots will be a top priority. They and their critics will be talking past each other, as the things someone like me would object to or find most uncomfortable and/or silly will be those qualities which the computer dudes most need and want from the device. We will divide into two groups, those who desire human contact, and those incapable of handling it. We're right on the edge of a social shift.

One of the things I find more fascinating about WWII was how complicated it was. Let's face it, the nazis and Japanese were villains right out of central casting. But there were also many shades of gray when it came to the political situation, particularly when dealing with the empires of Russia, Britain and France. The old adage that the enemy of my enemy is my friend made for a real mosaic of real and/or facile alliances and cooperation.

If you know me then you know that this is my all-time favotire film. I gave up counting how many times I'd watched it at 125, and that was about twenty years ago. So I'm embarassed to say that I was completely unaware of this little tidbit. Pretty neat!

It is always hazardous to comment on serious scholarship as it's presented in the popular press, (I've learned time and again how such reportage twists and perverts the actual subject matter). But if this article is true, it sounds like a near-worthless waste of time to me. The idea that all conflicts follow some sort of universal time/violence line is prepsoterous. The conclusion that a couple of guys with guns on each side is the same as a couple million guys with guns on each side is preposterous. And their claims of predictabily have so many caveats and disclaimers that it sounds like an amateur playing at being a military intelligence officer. They admit it provicdes no help to tactical thinking, and if your ead it carefully it doesn't sound like it's even competitive with a good intelligence and reconaissance effort. If you believe that the battle of Verdun was run the same way as the Tupamaro campaign in Montevideo which was the same as the Battle of Tora Bora which was the same as the Destruction of Army Group Center, then you are welcome to your graphs and charts. I remain unimpressed.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

It's another frigid and windy night at the Manor. The Holiday lights here and around the neighborhood are down, and we've got at least ten more weeks of another bleak Winter stomping around like some twerp on white crosses. So this song seems pretty dead-on. Sigh. See ya tomorrow.

Erik Deutsch, born in Washington D..C., is as busy as anyone in the music business. Currently a resident of Brooklyn, NY, the pianist has recently worked with Norah Jones, Trevor Dunn, and Ellery Eskelin (to name a few). He just wrapped up three years in the Charlie Hunter Trio (recording Mistico and Baboon Strength), and is currently splitting time with Kristina Train and Erin McKeown in support of their new albums. Erik has recently completed work on a new album: Hush Money. Released on November 10, the music reflects a unique balance between the chamber-esque cinematic composition of Deutsch’s previous record, Fingerprint, with the rhythm and blues aesthetic of Charlie Hunter. Throw in a heavy dose of Erik’s extensive arsenal of analog synthesizers and Hush Money is surely the most wide-ranging recording of his career. “Erik Deutsch, a pianist with a taste for tuneful provocation, is an especially valuable resource as a solo commentator and accompanist…” – NY Times Recent

"With an emotive delivery that at various points brings to mind Marianne Faithfull and Iris Dement under the spell of eerie gothic gloom, Stella Schindler makes a striking impression on Distant Hum. Her seductive style has a hazy feel that’s elusive yet inviting. She effectively integrates various strands of quiet despair, resulting in an album deliriously imbued with imagery and allusion.

The set begins provocatively with the dirge-like ballad “Ancient Trail” and maintains its sensual sway. However, Schindler hits her stride with “Get Along Joseph,” an upbeat shuffle that suggests vintage Dylan helmed by Gram and Emmylou." (Lee Zimmerman, Performing Songwriter Magazine)

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Greetings!
This site will be devoted to all the funny, weird, disturbing, and unusual stuff I find or am sent. This will include pictures, games, comics, cartoons, articles, jokes, and anomalies. Enjoy!